FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Better Business Bureau Serving Northern Indiana celebrated the highest standards of integrity in the region on Thursday, Oct. 22, by presenting its 21st annual Torch Awards for Ethics. The awards honor businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals who demonstrate ethical practices in how they treat employees, customers and the broader community.
Business of Integrity winners
Three companies earned the Business of Integrity award: Sky Point Social Services, Surf Internet and Sweetwater. Each was praised for fostering a culture of honesty, transparent communication and responsible stewardship of resources. Finalists that fell just short of the top honor were Home Sweet Home Cleaning Service LLC and Ruoff Mortgage, both of which were commended for strong customer‑care policies.
Nonprofit of Integrity winners
The nonprofit category highlighted C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative Inc. and the Fort Wayne Zoo as winners. Both organizations were recognized for their commitment to serving vulnerable populations while maintaining rigorous ethical standards. Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne and The Upper Room Recovery Community were named finalists, noted for their impactful community outreach and transparent governance.
Individual of Integrity
Long‑time community advocate Brenda Gerber Vincent received the Jay Leonard Individual of Integrity award. Vincent’s decades of service have exemplified the values the Torch Awards seek to promote, including personal integrity, volunteerism and dedication to family‑centered initiatives. Fellow finalists Cassie Beer and Marshall White were also praised for their contributions to local charitable causes.
Why the awards matter
BBB President and CEO Jan Diaz explained that the Torch Awards spotlight organizations and individuals who set a moral example for others in Northern Indiana. “When businesses and nonprofits operate with integrity, they strengthen families, uphold Christian values and protect individual liberty by fostering trust in the marketplace and the community,” Diaz said.
More than 160 nominations were submitted from across the BBB’s 23‑county service area, and an independent panel of judges selected the winners based on criteria such as character, organizational culture, customer care and community involvement.
Community support and future education
The ceremony was hosted by the BBB Charitable & Educational Foundation, which funds ethics education programs and community‑engagement projects throughout the region. The foundation’s work aligns with the HyperLocal Loop’s focus on strengthening families, faith‑based values and personal responsibility.
Additional details about the Torch Awards, including nomination guidelines and upcoming events, are available at bbbevents.org. The awards serve as a reminder that ethical conduct remains a cornerstone of a thriving, faith‑centered community in Fort Wayne and the surrounding counties.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
